Topic: HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE JOINT-HEIRS
THEME SCRIPTURE:
1 Peter 3:7 (KJV)
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
MESSAGE:
From our theme Scripture, the third instruction to a husband, is for him to treat his wife as being heirs together of the grace of life. The phrase, “heirs together” means, “joint-heirs.” A husband and his wife are joint-heirs of the grace of life. Meaning, both husband and wife have equal grace to eternal life and salvation. One is not better than the other.
Remember, we’re dealing with married couples in Christ Jesus. All our teachings on marriage so far, have got nothing to do with beliefs and practices outside of Christ. Hence, the instruction of Apostle Peter, is for husbands to recognize that there’s no difference between the husband and his wife when it comes to the grace of life. And what could be greater than the grace of life? What could be greater than salvation in Christ Jesus? No wonder Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Did you see that?
There’s neither male nor female in Christ Jesus! A male and a female who have received the grace of life are equal in value and worth. For that matter, a husband being the head of the union between him and his wife doesn’t make him superior to his wife; it doesn’t mean his wife is inferior to him. The fact that he is the head of the union doesn’t mean he is to lord it over his wife; it doesn’t mean his wife is subservient to him. It is for the purposes of the governing of the home that’s why the husband is the head, so that there will be order at home. After all, Christ is the Head, and we’re members of His Body. But does Christ lord His Headship over the Church? Romans 8:17 says we’re joint-heirs with Christ. Meaning, though Christ is the Head, whatever He owns, we own it as well. Whatever belongs to Christ, is equally ours.
Christ does not lord His headship over the Church just because He is the Head; He nourishes and cherishes the Church (Ephesians 5:29). A husband should nourish and cherish his wife as heirs together of the grace of life.
